HOW TO REPAIR CARPENTER BEE DAMAGE

Taking care of the home should be the number one priority for every homeowner. Among other challenges in the home, most people experience bee invasion.There are various bee species, and while others do not cause structural damage, carpenter bees chew and damage wood structures. They get into the fence rail or a desk joist damaging the surfaces and leaving behind drill-like holes and sawdust under the nesting area.

The bees have hidden tunnels in the wood where they create chambers to rear their off-springs, which easily weaken the boards. While carpenter bees do not bother you in other areas of your home, they cause lots of damages to the wood structures and trees. Thankfully, if you take drastic measures to repair carpenter bee damages before the holes become bigger, it’ll save you a lot of money in the long run.

Ways to Repair the Carpenter Bee Damages
There are various ways to repair carpenter bee damages in your home. Sometimes, other methods may not be effective, especially if the damages are severe. Below are the various methods to repair the structures for the best results.

Dowel and Caulk

WHICH CARPENTER BEE TRAP SHOULD I BUY?

Though this method is effective and the most commonly used, it takes a lot of time and reapplication. Since the holes can be big, it needs a lot of products to cover all the holes. The holes can open up after being filled up and after the caulk cures. The holes open once the products shrink, and it requires re-filling. Below is the repair process.

Locate the affected areas around the home- Check all the damaged areas by identifying places with sawdust shavings, holes, and brown stains. Decayed and weathered wood attract carpenter bees. So, remove all old wood to keep off the bees.

Get rid of all bees in the nest- Soak a cotton ball in isopropyl alcohol and place it into the main tunnel. The substance will suffocate all remaining bees in the tunnel. You can use a spray of dust pesticide though it isn’t necessary.

Use the sized dowels and apply the caulk. When done, push the dowel into the hole to the far end. Trim the shaving tip if the dowel isn’t getting in. You can also create different pieces of the dowel and place several of them into the hole to penetrate the curvy tunnels.

After accessing almost all places in the tunnel, cut the last dowel to flush the nest exterior.

Make the location smooth using wood putty as you get rid of all divots. When done, paint the ends to create a hard barrier against more damages. The painting also gives it an architectural match with the home exterior. So, ensure you do timely painting immediately.

Carpenter bees use the holes they made. So, close all holes and make them weathertight to keep them away. For the best results, ensure you follow all the steps above to the end.

However, for best and effective results, use a carpenter bee trap as the best solution to stop carpenter bees from accessing the surface during spring. It’s placed in the drilled areas to attract and trap the bees, keeping the tunnels free from bees.

SUMMARY

Repairing damages caused by carpenter bees need to be done as soon as possible. It can be a challenging task for homeowners. Further delays will cause severe damage that can lead to costly repairs and even replace some essential components. Depending on the depth of damages caused, it’s important to seek professional services from an expert to deal with all carpenter bee problems, especially if the issue has been repetitive.